Community Deserted Over Monarch’s Killing

Residents of Onu Itama, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State have fled their homes over the assassination of the community leader, Chief Job Shagari Ebijego, by unknown gunmen.

He was reportedly killed Monday evening near his palace in the Itama community, Dekina Local Government area of the state.

According to family sources, the hired assassins were trailing the Monarch while he was taking a stroll within his palace around 9.00 pm when sporadic shooting started.

The source pointed out that the subjects of the late traditional ruler and his personal guards could not come out to ascertain what was happening immediately until the shooting seized.

After the killing of the Monarch, the source said the assassins fled the scene with their motorcycle.

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It was gathered that the lifeless body of the traditional ruler was found on the road close to his palace in Itama community.

Family sources said though the real reason why the Monarch was assassinated could not be ascertained , the late Onu Itama has been on a series of chieftaincy tussles and land dispute matters with some groups of people in the community since his assumption of office.

The death of the Monarch has thrown the community into crisis as suspected arsonists have taken over Itama community.

Aggrieved by the tragic incident, youths in the community woke up on Tuesday morning and started burning houses and destroying the property of those suspected to be behind the brutal murder of the community chief.

It was gathered that Police personnel were immediately drafted from the Egume Divisional Police Office alongside some army personnel on ground to the community to keep peace.

Sources in the community said no fewer than 12 irate youths had been arrested by the combined forces while many fled the community.

It was also gathered that at the time of filing this report, the community had been deserted as many residents of Itama community took to their heels over fear of arrest or being hurt by the angry youths on a rampage.